Men's Basketball

CATCHING UP WITH LS-1

He'll forever be remembered by the VCU faithful for his
energy, game-changing talents and ability to connect with the
sellout crowds at the Verizon Wireless Arena at the Stuart C.
Siegel Center.

Nowadays Larry Sanders can be
found in cities across the country working out for numerous NBA
franchises.

Scott Day of VCUathletics.com caught up
with "LS-1" while he was making away to his next
workout for the NBA Draft.

Scott Day: First of all, thanks for
taking time out of your busy schedule, big fella. How many teams
have you worked out for so far?

Larry: To be honest, I'm
not sure at this point. I know I'm scheduled to work out for
about 15-16 teams and I know I'm over halfway done.
I've been to so many workouts, they all run together
[laughs].

SD: What have the workouts been like?
Tougher than you expected? What do they run you
through?

Larry: Well, it's a lot of
different things they run you through, but each one is about the
same. Some have been tough, but for the most part, it's what
I expected. I knew it would be very competitive and I would have to
bring my "A" game every time. We usually start with a
lot of skill work with the other guys in the workout, then some
one-on-one full court or three-on-three full court. It's
basketball, so it's always fun for me.

SD: How's the feedback been so
far?

Larry: It's all been
really positive. A lot of teams aren't really sure what to
expect when I come in and compete against guys from the so-called
bigger schools, but I think a lot of people have been pleasantly
surprised with how I can compete against those guys.

SD: Speaking of the guys you've
been working out with, who have you seen the most of as far as guys
you've competed against?

Larry: I've seen Epke Udoh
from Baylor a couple times, Cole Aldrich from Kansas, Daniel Orton
and Patrick Patterson from Kentucky, Samardo Samuels from
Louisville, Jarvis Vanardo from Mississippi State and Trevor Booker
from Clemson.

SD: What have you been working on the
most since leaving here?

Larry: I've been working
on my overall game, but specifically my jump shot which has
improved a ton. My ball handling is another focus, as well as
trying to show team I can transition to the four position if they
need me to.

SD: What are some things that you learned
during your time at VCU that you are applying to your
workouts?

Larry: One thing that being at
VCU taught me is to always bring my energy and work ethic to
everything I do. No matter what anyone is doing, I have to continue
to bring those two things because that's what separates me
from the pack. A lot of guys have been up tight and a little
nervous at these workouts and I know if I stay focused on bringing
my energy, I'll be able to show what I'm capable
of.

SD: The mock drafts have been predicting
you all over the place, do you read them at all? Do you even care
what they say?

Larry: Honestly, I don't
care. My agent has said a couple things about different spots or
teams, but overall, I haven't really read any of them. The
Director of Player Personnel for the Bucks had some good things to
say about me today, which is great, but really, I'm just
excited about any opportunity I'm given.

SD: What's been the most
challenging part about this process for you?

Larry: [laughs] You know
what's funny, it's really been trying to contain my
excitement. I know that this is something that very few people get
to experience and every time I get to work out for a team or every
time I think about hearing my name called, I just get excited.
I'm just trying to enjoy every moment of the ride.

SD: Has the travel been difficult? And to
go along with that, what's been the favorite stop so
far?

Larry: For me, the travel
hasn't been difficult at all, it's actually been really
fun. Every stop has been great, but maybe the two cities that have
surprised me the most are Milwaukee and Toronto. Milwaukee reminds
me of Richmond a little bit because it's an older city with a
lot of brick buildings and cathedrals, it's really nice. I
really wasn't sure what to expect in Toronto, but I loved it.
It's a great city.

SD: Other than the obvious answer of
Oklahoma City with E-Maynor, what would be the ideal
team?

Larry: You know what, at this
point, I just want a team that really wants me and is excited to
have me join the organization. I just want a chance to fit in and
help the team win because that's what it's all about. I
don't have room to be picky, I just want the opportunity to
contribute.

SD: Finally, you have anything to say to
the Ram Nation?

Larry: I really don't know
where to start. They have been such a big part of the support
system that has gotten me to where I'm at today and I
can't thank them enough. I just want to be as strong an
ambassador for VCU Basketball as I can.